SILK STOCKINGS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17038, 11 May 1923, Page 4

SILK STOCKINGS.

AA'hen it was suggested in 1540 by the maker of the first silk stockings, a Spaniard, that the Queen might graciously accept a sample of the first fruits of his labour, the grandee who had to deal with matters of the kind pompously replied that •* the Queen of .Spain had no legs.” Queen Elizabeth, however, received & similar offer in a very different manner. She asked for more, and Mistress Dorothy Montagu, her silk woman, at once took in hand to supply the need. Whereas Elizabeth was delighted, and wrote. “ Indeed. I like silk stockings so well, because they arc pleasant, fine, and delicate, that henceforth 1 will wear no more cloth stockings, but silk stockings every ordinary day and not only on Sundays and holidays.” The period at which stockings came into general use no one seems to know . Hose were common in Norman times. They were tight trunks, which, as time went on. became more or less decorative from the knee downwards, the ornamental part being known as the ‘stock" of Hie hose, from which it became gradually separated. Stockings. much as we now know them, are frequently alluded to by Shakespeare, and in his time were worn by all classes. Sir Andrew Aguecheek flatters the appearance of his leg in a flame-coloured stock: Petruchio claims “ Kate the curst” as his bride ‘‘with a linen stock on one leg. with a kersey boot hose on the other, gartered with a red and blue list,” and when he arrived home expected bis servants to honour him and his bride by wearing “ their new fustian and white linen stockings.” Just as Elizabeth’s reign saw the introduction of the silk stocking, so did it witness the la.st of the cloth stocking. A regular craze for finery for the nether limbs then set in. and, as is the case to-day. people denied themselves the of life to get the best. It has apparently always been the custom to bemoan the extravagance of the masses, hut to Judge from what old writers have to say. the craze for dress , to-day is mild compared with what it was 300 years ago. Stubbs, the historian, writes: “K\ml to such impudent insolvency and shameful outrages is ii now grown that everyone, almost (careful. Master Stubbs!), though otherwise very poor, will not hesitate to spend ball bis these nether silk stocks, at a cost which he might well have clothed his body from head to toe.” In the meantime, however, one .Lee bad invented a stocking loom, but for some reason he was refused a patent. Sm Lee. with his loom betook himself to France, where, misfortune pursuing him, he dieil of a broken heart. His irkmen. however, returned to England. and after some vicissitudes succeeded in laying the foundation of a great and thriving trade that is still growing.